Nasreen’s Secret School: A True Story From Afghanistan

The full moon passed our window many times

As Nasreen and I waited

Nasreen never spoke a word.

She never smiled.

She just sat, waiting for her mama and papa to return.

I knew I had to do something.

I heard whispers about a school –

a secret school for girls –

behind a green gate in a nearby land.

I waited Nasreen to attend this secret school.

I wanted her to learn about the world, as I had.

I wanted her to speak again.

So one day, Nasreen and I hurried down the lanes

until, we came to the green gate.

Luckily, no soldier saw us.

I tapped lightly.

The teacher opened the gate,

and we quickly slipped inside.

We crossed the courtyard to the school –

one room in a private house,

filled with girls.